"No, those three outside pitches in the first at-bat weren't the catcher's call. Although Miyuki Kazuya has an aggressive pitching style, he normally wouldn't start a game like that. It was mostly Kanzaki Ryou's own idea," Sanada Shunpei said.
"This tyrant is responding to Narumiya Mei's first half-inning with even more aggressive, straightforward pitching."
Beside them, Todoroki Raichi squatted on the ground, fists clenched tightly. His pupils glowed red, and he looked like a wild beast ready to pounce.
"I really want to hit… I really want to hit his ball!"
Raichi muttered to himself, his voice trembling with excitement.
Not just the Yakushi team—players and spectators from other schools who had come to watch were also deep in discussion. Even though neither side had managed a hit yet, the intensity of the game alone was enough to ignite the entire stadium.
In the stands behind the first-base side, three girls wearing Seido uniforms hurried in from the aisle.
"Sister, hurry up! The game already started!" Kumiko shouted as she ran ahead.
Behind her, Kanzaki Mamiko and Kosaka Reina followed, slightly out of breath.
"You brat, why are you running so fast? It's only the bottom of the first inning—what's the rush?" Mami complained.
"It's Ryou!" Reina suddenly exclaimed the moment she spotted Kanzaki Ryou on the field.
The three quickly found their seats and began snapping photos with their phones and cameras.
On the field, Inashiro's third batter, third baseman Yoshizawa Hideaki, had already been pushed into a two-strike count.
Whoosh!
Pop!
"Strike!"
"Strikeout!"
The final forkball sealed it cleanly. In the bottom of the first inning, Inashiro Industrial went down three up, three down.
"Ni-chan!!"
Seeing her brother strike out the batter and walk back toward the dugout, Kanzaki Kumiko jumped to her feet, waving a flag with "King Seido" printed on it.
Amid the cheers of tens of thousands, Kanzaki Ryou, who was discussing pitching with Miyuki, picked out his sister's voice as if by instinct.
He looked up immediately—and found her within a second.
"This girl… she came without even telling me," Ryou muttered, though the smile on his face betrayed his happiness as he waved back to Kumiko and the others.
"Oh? Both sisters are here. Is the one next to them your girlfriend?" Miyuki teased with a smirk.
"Don't talk nonsense. It's not even confirmed yet. Right now, all I want is three consecutive championships," Ryou replied, rolling his eyes.
Back in the dugout, Kanzaki Ryou quickly put on his batting gloves. In the top of the second inning, Yuki Tetsuya would bat first—and he was next.
"Captain, good luck."
Before heading out, Ryou bumped fists with Yuki.
"Top of the second inning! Seido High School's offense—fourth batter, first baseman, Yuki!"
With the announcement echoing, Yuki Tetsuya stepped into the batter's box.
His rock-solid stance alone placed immense pressure on Masatoshi Harada. Since last summer, Yuki had evolved significantly—both in technique and presence. As a long-time opponent, Harada felt that change more clearly than anyone.
Narumiya… don't hold back. Throw your best pitch.
Harada signaled firmly.
Narumiya Mei gave a heavy nod. Facing Yuki Tetsuya, he wouldn't allow even a hint of carelessness.
Inashiro's Ace versus Seido's cleanup hitter—Yuki.
At that moment, fans from both sides roared, cheering at full volume.
Whoosh!
The white ball cut through the air, tracing a beautiful arc toward the outside corner.
Yuki didn't move.
That wasn't the pitch he wanted.
An outside breaking ball… and he doesn't swing?
Harada glanced at him after catching it.
Is he waiting for a fastball? Or an inside pitch?
Unable to read Yuki's intent, Harada chose to probe carefully. He returned the ball and quickly signaled again—an outside high cutter.
Whoosh!
Narumiya didn't hesitate. His rhythm was sharp and fast.
This time, Yuki swung without hesitation.
Bang!
A crisp impact echoed across the field. The ball soared high and far—but the angle was off, and it drifted foul into the stands beyond third base.
Hiss—
Narumiya inhaled sharply.
That pitch had been right on the edge of the strike zone, far from the body, with a sharp break—and yet it had nearly been sent out of the park.
As expected of Yuki…
Narumiya glanced back at Yuki in the batter's box. If he didn't bring out his full strength, getting past this batter wouldn't be easy.
Behind the plate, Harada also broke into a cold sweat. Though relieved the ball had gone foul, he knew—
With two strikes, Yuki would swing at the next pitch unless it was an obvious ball.
Now's the chance. Finish him, Narumiya!
I know.
Narumiya nodded.
Harada gave the sign.
The third pitch came fast.
The ball traveled straight—yet just slightly delayed in timing.
Yuki swung—
—and missed.
"Changeup!"
"They're already using it in the second inning?"
"Looks like Inashiro is determined to shut Seido down completely today!"
In the stands, reporter Fujio spoke up the moment he saw the pitch.
"Really? But Kanzaki Ryou is up next. If they reveal the changeup now, won't that make him more cautious?" Miss Akiko asked, lowering her camera slightly.
Fujio smiled.
"You've improved—you can actually read the game now. But did you forget? With one out and no runners on base, the probability of Kanzaki Ryou being walked is nearly 100%."
"…What?"
Akiko froze.
In her mind, Narumiya Mei didn't seem like the type of pitcher who would intentionally walk someone—especially someone like Kanzaki Ryou.
With Yuki Tetsuya striking out, Seido's momentum was once again suppressed.
But the moment Kanzaki Ryou stepped into the batter's box—
The stadium erupted.
At that instant, all eyes—spectators and media alike—focused entirely on the two of them.
Inashiro's Ace.
Seido's Ace.
A head-on clash at the peak of popularity.
Behind the plate, Harada felt completely satisfied with the situation.
Narumiya… walk him.
Narumiya frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on Kanzaki Ryou. For a brief moment, reluctance flickered in his eyes.
Then—
He threw the pitch.
"Ball!"
"Ball!"
"Ball!"
"Ball!"
"Four balls!"
In the end, Narumiya Mei chose to walk Kanzaki Ryou.